Holding Tank Fitting

[Boating_Buoys]

Hi All,

Well we've taken the plunge and ordered a new Sealine S34 and gone for a decent spec, the only thing we cannot decide on is the Holding Tank option....

Sealine want £1700 for this, which seems a bit steep for a macerator pump, a tank (even if it is Staness Steel), a skin fitting and a bit of tubing.

I'd rather have the facility, especially for when anchored off the beach in the summer etc, but for £1700 ???? ... I'm not sure that my eco-friendlyness stretches that far.

So, does anyone know a company that retro fits these with a plastic tank in the engine bay or something ? and what it is likely to cost me....

Or is it simply not possible?

Any ideas or suggestions are welcomed.

Andy




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[pissativlypossed]

I faced the same line of questioning when ordering my new boat, a Jeanneau Prestige 36, In the end i did order a factory fitted holding tank and was pleasantly surprised what i got for my money(also £1700). It has a custom built stainless tank that fits perfectly in the bilges with a macerator, and an indicator meter telling you how full it is (yuk). With the price of marine parts now and the difficulty of finding a competent marine engineer who you can tie down to a schedule, i would strongly advise getting a detailed spec from the builder before making a decision. Also remember the hassle factor in getting floors up etc and how much time you will lose out on the briney whilst it is being done.

<hr width=100% size=1>"Open Another Bottle"

 

[SteveE]

Andy,

I looked at a retro fit holding tank when I ordered my new Sealine F33 last year, I managed to save £200 so I went with the factory fitted option. The 1 thing I would say, when buying a new boat you will get issues and you wil need your dealer to sort them out, I have been happy with the service I recieved from RYB, but I am sure it would not have been as good if I fitted retro parts.

The beauty of a new boat is hassle free boating and warranty, for the sake of £200 it was not worth the risk.

Steve

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[DavidJ]

I have an S37 and suspect that you have a similar layout in the cabin where there are two very large floor lockers. The holding tank I believe goes in one of those. I suggest that you hold on to see if you really need one because the space is really useful. Also retro fitting looks very straightforward because of all the space available.
Have a bow thruster fitted instead!

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[Talbot]

I am surprised that Headmistress has not already commented, but a stainless steel holding tank is a very silly idea. The acids present in the contents of the tank will eat their way through the tank, and eventually you will have a very messy problem to resolve. A holding tank is a good idea, but get it made from the correct material (it will also be cheaper) - my recommendation is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tek-tanks.com/Pages/frameset.htm>Tek Tanks</A>. If you have them leave a suitable space with access (and spend the money on a bow thruster) you will be able to fit one easily when needed.

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[pheran]

I had a tank custom made by Tek Tanks. Something of an odd shape but perfectly made to my spec. The tank and all other parts required to fit came to less than £500. This included a pump to enable the tank to be emptied at sea. Fitting all the gubbins together took less than half a day (excluding liquid lunch) so D-I-Y scores every time in my book.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=blue>A convert to steel boats and displacement cruising - the only way to go</font color=blue>

 

[Boating_Buoys]

Thanks for all the suggestions !

It seems as if the view is a bit mixed, I'll try tek-tanks and see if they make a plastic tank for the space and then see if sealine will fit it ... you never know until you ask !



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[HeadMistress]

I'd have been here sooner, but I've been away for a week with no 'net access.

While aluminum or stainless are an acceptable choice for water or fuel holding, neither is a good choice for waste holding. Urine is so corrosive--so much so that it makes salt appear benign in comparison--that it will typically eat through a weld at a seam or fitting within 2-5 years, and on average will turn the tank into a collander within 10 years. Even 316 stainless is not immune.

The only recommended material for waste holding tanks is thick-walled (at least 3/8") polyethylene, preferably rotomolded, but welded--provided the mfr is top quality--is acceptable. The only UK tank mfr I know of who makes top quality plastic tanks is Tek Tanks...I strongly recommend that you contact them. I also suggest that you read their treatise on holding tanks and how to prevent odor before deciding on a location. It's on their website at http://www.tek-tanks.com/Pages/frameset.htm


<hr width=100% size=1>Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987

 

[PhilF]

"urine is so corrosive"
No wonder my pants fall apart so often
PhilF

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[jfm]

Agree all the comments about plastic better than metal. In both our boats the tanks have been plastic. Just as a comparison, ours (Fairline) just cost £2800 as a factory upgrade + VAT. For this you get the tank, macerator pump, 2x diverter valves, 3x extra skin fittings and seacocks, various piping, a remote contents gauge panel with LEDs and a switch for the macerator, then all the wiring across to the 24/12v panel, etc. In the marine world of pricing, the costs seemed ok to me......

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